NEWPORT -- The School Committee last night put an end to weeks of uncertainty and anguish for parents when it voted to keep open all six of the city's elementary schools.
With a few dozen vocal and angry parents in the audience at Thompson Middle School last night -- and in the wake of a series of public hearings in recent weeks that united parents and administrators in opposition to school closings -- the committee unanimously agreed to change course.
"I seriously thought about closing a school," said committee member Hugo DeAscentis Jr. From the hearings, he said, "I learned we have very strong, healthy viable schools. I don't think we should shut down a healthy school. ... Closing a school is a drastic, upsetting move."
He added that "to close a school is basically a financial move. That's all it is." And he questioned whether it would truly result in the savings that have been projected, between $300,000 to $500,000.
The committee, which is faced with a deficit expected to soar to nearly $2.5 million and is contemplating taking the city to court for more money, had seemed rather intent on possibly closing a school by next fall. In January, it voted to make a decision by yesterday. Then, and again last night, schools Supt. Mary C. Canole recommended that one school be shut down.
Canole has said that closing a school would save about $500,000 beyond an alternative of simply eliminating 10 classrooms. Committee member Thomas S. Phelan last night cited a figure of $300,000 in additional savings through closing a school, while DeAscentis guessed it would "be something less."
Parents, however, seemed to have little interest in the numbers. What concerned them, they said, was the disruption in the lives of their children and the possibility of overcrowding at the schools that are left open.
"I'm concerned about filling these buildings to capacity," said Yvonne Virgadamo, who worried about the impact on special needs students like her son.
"You're going to have a lot of angry people," said Heather Baker.
When a parent asked how each school would cope with additional students, the elementary principals were invited to sit before the committee. Most said they had little, if any, extra space to spare.
But Canole said the former Triplett School, still owned by the department, could be used in the event more space is needed. And she said that it was only a few years ago, before enrollment took a steep dive, that the elementary schools had far more students than they do now.
"I don't feel your kids will be shortchanged if we reduce to five schools," Canole said.
Canole said she has had to cut educational programs during his past three years as superintendent. Instead of spending unnecessarily on building expenses and additional staff and administrators she said, "I'd rather put the money into programs ... I can't conceivably surrender to cutting more programs."
Referring to the City Council, which has been reluctant to provide more money for the schools, she said, "I don't believe the political will is here to fund six elementary schools."
Committee chairman Charles Shoemaker has been supportive of closing a school. Last night he picked up on the theme of politics Canole mentioned last night.
"We have a perception problem right now. The perception of the public is that we can close a school," he said. After the principals spoke, he remarked, "We're hearing tonight that maybe that's not a reality."
Committee member David R. Carlin praised the small neighborhood schools, saying, "It seems to me we have a great advantage in Newport. I haven't heard anything that convinces me larger schools are better.
"If it's going to take $300,000 to keep the parents of Newport happy, I'd say that's $300,000 well spent."
Committee member Jo Eva Gains sought to delay the vote. She hoped that a subcommittee studying a long-range plan for all the school properties, including the elementary buildings, could soon make a recommendation on whether one should be closed next year.
DeAscentis, who chairs the committee, doubted it could make such a recommendation that soon. And parents and other committee members said the March 15 deadline should be observed.
Several committee members said it made no sense to close an elementary school before the long-term plan for the schools is completed.
"Before we make any decision to close a school, we should have a long-term plan," Carlin said, sparking a burst of applause from the crowd.
Reporter Richard Salit can be reached at (401) 277-7467 or by e-mail at rsalitATprojo.com.
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